Hey, Tortuga Tex, Tell Me More!

Viewing window at Balmorhea State Park

What's so special about cienagas?

Fish! There are fish and special aquatic animals in the desert!

Ciénegas, or desert marshes, provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. This is especially true for the rare desert fishes.

Few ciénegas have survived due to water used by others and not left for habitat. San Solomon Springs continue to flow, but its ciénega was long ago destroyed, along with its great diversity of wildlife. Many people got together to rebuild the cienega at Balmorhea State Park!

As a result, the native fish, including the endangered Comanche Springs pupfish, have a new home. This location now provides a natural habitat and contains the largest number of Comanche Springs pupfish anywhere! (The summer population averages 270,000!). Children and adults who visit the cienega exhibit can learn about this amazing water habitat in the desert!

Visit Balmorhea State Park

More Tortuga, Please!